Finding The 4077th

Commander Dad

“Dad! You aren't dressed. You're the Commander today. Don't you need to be dressed?“ Chris said softly. He knew his dad wasn't happy with this arrangement but Radar needed them.

“Ohh yeah...“ Hawkeye mumbled and walked back to his chair. He picked up his captain's hat and put it on his head. “So! Now I'm fit for command.“

“But dad... “ Chris tried but Hawkeye made a dismissing hand movement and headed out the Swamp.

Chris quickly followed him, his dad looked silly which was probably what the man wanted but it irritated him a bit, and of course the lack of sleep and his continued headache didn't help at all. Radar took this stuff seriously and so did the Colonel. Chris had worked with the clerk more than enough to know what needed to be done. And acting silly wasn't it. He didn't want to let this unit down, but he simply couldn't control his dad.

After a quick breakfast with several cups of coffee, they went to Potter's office and heard Radar whistling happily before they entered.

“Ah, welcome to your new job, sir!“ Radar said as he heard them enter. The clerk turned around and saluted. His smile slowly disappeared when he looked at their new Commander wearing just his underwear, red bathrobe and captain's hat. His hand lowered slowly in disappointment.

Chris mouthed a heartfelt “I'm sorry” to his friend as Hawkeye leaned against the door.

“Now I know why they shoot people at sunrise. Who wants to live at 6:00 in the morning?“ Hawkeye said as he walked inside.

“Hey, Hawkeye, you're not even dressed.“ The Clerk tried.

“I have my bars on, don't I? “ Hawkeye said as he showed them his bars pinned to his bathrobe.

“I know, but it doesn't look good... “ Radar tried again. “you know, for the guys.“

The clerk nervously followed Hawkeye as he sat down at the desk. He looked at the pile of papers in front of him and said. “From now on... “

Hawkeye grabbed the nameplate with his name on it. The one Radar so carefully put on the desk this morning for their new Commander. “I want the middle of this desk kept clear. “ With one swipe he swept all the paper off.

“Dad!“ Chris gasped as he looked with shock at the falling papers around him.

“Hey” Radar said indignant as he quickly got down to pick up the pieces of paper scattered around the floor. Chris quickly got down to help him.

Hawkeye put his head tiredly on his arms on the now empty desk and said. “Don't disturb me until lunch. Lunch is disturbing enough.“ He glanced at the clerk and his son on the ground who were busy picking up all the papers and said. “How am I doing so far? “

Radar shot him an angry glare while Chris looked utterly disappointed. Hawkeye almost grinned but managed to keep a straight face. His kid looked adorable like this, not that he wanted Chris to be disappointed in him, but it was still cute. That look of Chris was the same one he got when he hugged the boy while still wearing his bloody scrubs, ruining the boy's clothes. Or when he acted disorderly sometimes.

“Come on.“ Radar said to the almost sleeping doctor on the desk as he got up with the papers. Chris handed him some more. “Will you please be serious once?“ The clerk said as he waved the pile of paper in front of Hawkeye’s closed eyes. “We've got work to do here.“

Hawkeye sat up right and yawned. He adjusted his captain's hat and said. “All right. The first order of the day is a drink.“ as he walked over to the booze cabinet. “Where's the key?“ Hawkeye asked as he noticed the cabinet was locked.